Binder storage arrangement including removable flexible hangers

ABSTRACT

A binder storage support arrangement utilizing flexible removable light-weight frame hangers having parallel flexible elongated frame elements for supporting binders in depending postion and the arrangement also including spaced-apart support means positioned on a storage housing for holding the removable frame hanger. The parallel frame elements have engaging means affixed to the element ends which are shaped to engage the support means through flexing of the hanger to insert it in the support means. Upon insertion, the hanger restores itself to its normal configuration where it is held since the hanger unflexed and and support means are so dimensioned and positioned.

United States Patent Young et al. Aug. 12, 1975 [5 1 BINDER STORAGEARRANGEMENT 1,103,587 2/1968 United Kingdom 211/46 REMOVABLE 1.089.9463/1955 France 312/184 4 1,210,163 10/1970 Canada 312 184 HANGERS1,182,768 6/1959 France.... 312/184 [75] Inventors: Raymond R. Young,Des Plaines; 772,077 10/1934 312/ 84 Frank J. Malcik, Berwyn, both of917,301 l/1947 France 312/184 111.

Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam [73] Assgnee' im Long [gland CltyAssistant Examiner-Andrew M. Calvert [22] F d Sept 4 1973 Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Pennie & Edmonds [21] Appl. No.: 393,999 [57] ABSTRACT Abinder storage'support arrangement utilizing flexi- 2212: [58] Field ofSearch 211/45 46 1 19 162 181 1 flexlble l elements suppmmg 2 bmders 1ndependmg postlon and the arrangement also including spaced-apart supportmeans positioned [s 6 1 References Cited on a storage housing forholding the removable frame hanger. The parallel frame elements haveengaging UNITED STATES PATENTS means affixed to the element ends whichare shaped to 1,163,038 12/1915 Robertson 6'. 211. 211/181 X engage thesupport means through flexing of the 2,174,201 9/1939 Chauvin 211/46hanger to insert i in the support means. Upon insep la 1 tion, thehanger restores itself to its normal configura- 5 H966 211/46 tion whereit is held since the hanger unflexed and and 3228x1144 11/1966 Hymans211/46 Support means are so dmenswned and posltoned- Germany 312/184 9Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Pmmmwm 2 5 3,899,08

SHEET 1 7 FIG. I s\ s PATENTED AUG I 2 i975 SHEET BINDER STORAGEARRANGEMENT INCLUDING REMOVABLE FLEXIBLE HANGERS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION Prior binder storage systems have included projectionsattached to or formed as part of a binder back for sliding in tracksaffixed to an upper horizontal surface in a cabinet. Other arrangementsused have provided parallel support means positioned between two supportblade elements. A flanged back binder is hung between and supported onthese parallel members using the flanges on the binder back to engagethe parallel members.

The present invention utilizes flanged back binders in combination withan improved hanger unit which is light weight, flexible and readilyinstalled in and removed from the storage cabinet or other storage hous-SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention includes a binder storagesupport arrangement having a walled storage housing, a frame hangerincluding parallel flexible elongated frame elements spaced-apart tosupport a flanged back binder, a pair of hanger frames engaging andsupporting means positioned on the storage housing and spaced-apart toreceive the hanger when flexed and hold it after its restoration fromits flexed position.

It is a feature that the hanger may be made from wire or other smallcross-sectional structure material which is lightweight, portable andreadily fabricated in a variety of lengths and widths for adaption infile cabinets, desk drawers and other storage areas where existing orinstalled hanger support means may be utilized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thestorage cabinet;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hanger frame;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along lines 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a hanger frame adapted tofit in a desk draw; and

FIG. 6 is an end view of the flanged binder positioned in the hangerframe shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing a frame hanger adapted for use in anopen top cabinet; and

FIG. 8 shows in a broken side elevational view the hanger of FIG. 7 inposition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Directing attention first tothe embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, stacked storage unit I includes aplurality of housing units 2. Each unit 2 includes a ceiling 3generally-disposed in a horizontal position to which are securedspaced-apart hanger supports 4 and 5 which function to support flexiblebinder hanger frames 6 (FIG. 3).

Front and back supports 4 and 5 each include two L- shaped brackets 7separated by a sufficient distance to permit insertion of thebracket-engaging lip portions 8 and 9 of frame 6. Referring to FIG. 3,frame 6 includes frame rails 11 which are made of a material which whenformed in lengths having small cross-sectional areas are readily flexedby hand-applied forces and which will restore themselves upon release ofsuch forces. Supports 4 and 5 are located such that frame 6 will remainheld by the supports until flexed and deformed for removal. Outwardlyextending lip portions 9 have a sufficient horizontal component so thatwhen upright frame portion 12 abutts front bracket 7 of support 5, theback bracket 7 of the support 5 continues to support frame stretcher 13which is secured between lip portions 9. Uprights 12, lip portions 8 and9 and stretchers 13 and 14 form hanger support end portions for hangingor mounting the frame hanger. Frame 6 including rails 11 areproportioned and supports 4 and 5 are spaced apart to provide readyinsertion and removal of the frame.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective of the complete structure of binder frame 6including in addition to the parts and portions already mentioned, innerstretcher 14 which is integrally formed with inwardly extending lipportions 8. Stop stretcher 16 limits the movement of binder 17.Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the binder 17 includes flanged back 18having flanges 19. Binder 17 also includes covers 21, leaves or pages 22and a mechanism 23 for holding the leaves or pages. Housing units 2 haveoverhead doors 24.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an alternative binder frame 6' is shownhaving rails l 1 and upright portions 12. Secured to upright 12' areU-shaped housing projection engaging guides or clips 26 each includingtwo U-shaped elements 27 and upper and lower stretchers 28 and 29, allintegrally formed as guide 26. Guides 26 which engage desk draw sidepieces 31 of desk draw 32 extend outward of side pieces 31 to providespace for identification tags or plates to be suspended, if desired, onstretchers 28 and 29.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a binder frame 6" having the same elements asframe 6' but having shorter uprights 12. Frame 6" is adapted to beengaged between center brace 33 of top-access storage cabinet 34 and acabinet housing wall projection 36 of the cabinet. Elements 27 aresecured to uprights 12 by spot welding or other suitable means.

Binder frames 6 and their modifications are made of elongated structuralelements having small crosssections so that the rails 11, uprights 12and other portions are flexibly deformable to permit the frame to beflexed sufficiently for ready insertion in and removal from the housingwall frame engaging and supporting means, such as supports 4 and 5, sidepieces 31, center brace 33 and projection 36. Frame 6 including itsvarious elements may be integrally formed or fabricate from a pluralityof parts. For example, frame 6 is fabricated from five parts and frame6' from four parts.

We claim:

1. A binder storage support arrangement comprising a. a storage housing;

b. a frame hanger including parallel flexible elongated frame elementsspaced-apart a distance such that a flanged-back binder positionedbetween the elements is supported by them and including hanger supportend portions positioned at the ends of the elongated frame elements; and

c. a pair of oppositely spaced first and second housing frame engagingand supporting means adapted to respectively engage each of said hangersupport end portions and associated with the storage housing and beingshaped, configured and spaced apart to receive the hanger when flexedand to hold the hanger through said hanger support end portions in itsnon-flexed condition.

2. The arrangement of claim 1 in which a hanger support end portionincludes an upright element connected to and disposed at right angles toeach elongated frame element and lip portions lie in a plane parallel tothe plane of the elongated frame elements.

3. The arrangement of claim 1 in which a hanger support end portionincludes uprights connected to the frame elements and disposed generallyat right angles thereto and a U-shaped clip means secured to theuprights for engagement with the housing frame engaging and supportingmeans.

4. The arrangement of claim 2 in which the housing frame engaging andsupporting means are spaced apart brackets adapted to receive said lipportions.

5. The arrangement of claim 3 in which the housing frame engaging andsupporting means are side pieces of the storage housing and the clipmeans are proportioned to engage the side pieces.

6. A binder storage support arrangement comprising a. a storage housing;

b. a frame hanger including parallel flexible elongated frame elementsspaced apart a distance such that a flanged-back binder positionedbetween the elements is supported by them and including first and secondhanger support end portions positioned at the ends of the elongatedframe elements;

c. a pair of first and second housing frame engaging and supportingmeans associated with the storage housing and shaped, configured andspaced apart to receive the hanger when flexed and to hold the hangerthrough its end supports in its non-flexed condition;

d. the first hanger support end portion includes a first upright elementconnected to and disposed at right angles to each elongated frameelement and first lip portions which lie in a plane parallel to theplane of the elongated frame elements, each of the first lip portionshaving a horizontal portion of sufficient length, such that whenever thefirst lip portions engage the first engaging and supporting means andthe frame hanger is moved such that the second hanger end portion ismoved towards the second engaging and supporting means the first uprightelements abut the first engaging and supporting means for supporting thefirst lip portions to the first engaging and supporting means to therebypermit flexing of the frame hanger to the assembled condition whereinthe second hanger end portion is snapped into engagement with the secondengaging and supporting means.

7. The arrangement of claim 6 which further comprises a generallyelongated stop member connected to and between the frame elements forlimiting movement of the binder so that the binder is disposed towardsthe front of the storage housing and for providing added strength to theframe hanger.

8. The arrangement of claim 7 which further comprises a second uprightelement connected to and disposed at right angles to each of theelongated frame elements and a generally U-shaped stretcher memberconnected to and between the second upright elements for maintaining thehanger in the non-flexed condition.

9. The arrangement as set forth in claim 8 in which the U-shapedstretcher member is connected below the top portion of the secondupright elements thereby defining top portions for insuring a snug fitwith the second engaging and supporting means thereby preventing againstrattle.

1. A binder storage support arrangement comprising a. a storage housing;b. a frame hanger including parallel flexible elongated frame elementsspaced-apart a distance such that a flanged-back binder positionedbetween the elements is supported by them and including hanger supportend portions positioned at the ends of the elongated frame elements; andc. a pair of oppositely spaced first and second housing frame engagingand supporting means adapted to respectively engage each of said hangersupport end portions and associated with the storage housing and beingshaped, configured and spaced apart to receive the hanger when flexedand to hold the hanger through said hanger support end portions in itsnon-flexed condition.
 2. The arrangement of claim 1 in which a hangersupport end pOrtion includes an upright element connected to anddisposed at right angles to each elongated frame element and lipportions lie in a plane parallel to the plane of the elongated frameelements.
 3. The arrangement of claim 1 in which a hanger support endportion includes uprights connected to the frame elements and disposedgenerally at right angles thereto and a U-shaped clip means secured tothe uprights for engagement with the housing frame engaging andsupporting means.
 4. The arrangement of claim 2 in which the housingframe engaging and supporting means are spaced apart brackets adapted toreceive said lip portions.
 5. The arrangement of claim 3 in which thehousing frame engaging and supporting means are side pieces of thestorage housing and the clip means are proportioned to engage the sidepieces.
 6. A binder storage support arrangement comprising a. a storagehousing; b. a frame hanger including parallel flexible elongated frameelements spaced apart a distance such that a flanged-back binderpositioned between the elements is supported by them and including firstand second hanger support end portions positioned at the ends of theelongated frame elements; c. a pair of first and second housing frameengaging and supporting means associated with the storage housing andshaped, configured and spaced apart to receive the hanger when flexedand to hold the hanger through its end supports in its non-flexedcondition; d. the first hanger support end portion includes a firstupright element connected to and disposed at right angles to eachelongated frame element and first lip portions which lie in a planeparallel to the plane of the elongated frame elements, each of the firstlip portions having a horizontal portion of sufficient length, such thatwhenever the first lip portions engage the first engaging and supportingmeans and the frame hanger is moved such that the second hanger endportion is moved towards the second engaging and supporting means thefirst upright elements abut the first engaging and supporting means forsupporting the first lip portions to the first engaging and supportingmeans to thereby permit flexing of the frame hanger to the assembledcondition wherein the second hanger end portion is snapped intoengagement with the second engaging and supporting means.
 7. Thearrangement of claim 6 which further comprises a generally elongatedstop member connected to and between the frame elements for limitingmovement of the binder so that the binder is disposed towards the frontof the storage housing and for providing added strength to the framehanger.
 8. The arrangement of claim 7 which further comprises a secondupright element connected to and disposed at right angles to each of theelongated frame elements and a generally U-shaped stretcher memberconnected to and between the second upright elements for maintaining thehanger in the non-flexed condition.
 9. The arrangement as set forth inclaim 8 in which the U-shaped stretcher member is connected below thetop portion of the second upright elements thereby defining top portionsfor insuring a snug fit with the second engaging and supporting meansthereby preventing against rattle.